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On the Syrian Ceasefire

On the Surface

The Syrian Civil War, which has now lasted for five years, is essentially a proxy war between two superpowers: the United States backs the Syrian rebels, while Russia backs the Assad regime. The costs have been devastating, in terms of both loss of life and economic burden: Russian airstrikes are costing Russia 4 million dollars per day. These groups have been groups are trying to end the war as soon as possible through the use of a ceasefire.

Where everyone stands

Russia supports Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, who clings to power in Syria while also trying to crush rebel groups as quickly as possible.

The United States supports the Syrian rebels, who are trying to wrest control of Syrian government from Assad in the hopes of guaranteeing human rights and democratic process. However, the war has had enormous human cost, and the rebels struggle to end the conflict in the face of waning manpower.

The ceasefire entails governmental reforms that will end the conflict. And, while it may seem like everyone wins with this solution, the clear winner is the Syrian rebel groups.

Their original goal was to create a governmental change that would entail less government oppression. Spurred by the protests of Arab Spring, they protested the government. But Assad brutally put down the protests, triggering the civil war. The ceasefire and the ensuing governmental reforms thus achieve the initial goal of the rebels, essentially giving the United States the win in this proxy war.